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Faculty in Applied Biotechnology

Graduate students enrolled in the Professional Science Master's (PSM) program in Applied Biotechnology receive a M.S. degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology. In addition to 30 credits of core science classes, these students receive training in business management, communication, ethics, and a professional seminar series that will prepare them to serve as effective liaisons between scientific and business communities (courses described below).

Also unique to the PSM program is the internship that students experience in lieu of a research project and thesis. A maximum of 6 internship credits (MCB 510) can be counted toward this minimum 55-credit M.S. degree, and generally represents 3 months of full-time work (480 hours). This is a rigorously enforced requirement that should serve as an integrative educational experience for the student. Students are responsible for developing their internship project. An internship proposal, journal, final report, and an oral presentation given in conjunction with the final oral examination are required. Graduate committee approval of the proposal and final report is required.

As the major professor for a PSM student, your responsibilities would include:  

  • Advising related to coursework, the Program of Study, and general departmental and university requirements for M.S. students
  • Mentoring (e.g., recommending conferences, journals, networking opportunities)
  • Facilitating laboratory rotations for students interested in learning specific laboratory techniques
  • Providing feedback and final approval of the internship proposal
  • Reviewing the internship journal and approving the final report, which serves as their Master's thesis
  • Leading the final oral examination, and signing forms required by the Graduate School and PSM Program (e.g., Program of Study, internship proposal, internship report, oral examination).

We host an Industry Partnership Workshop annually in December, where we can solicit feedback to keep our programs on the cutting-edge. You are welcome to attend this event, and PSM students are always invited the luncheon.

Dr. James Carrington serves as Director of the PSM Applied Biotechnology Program. If you have any questions about this program, please contact either Dr. Kirstin Carroll (7-6072) or Dr. Ursula Bechert (7-5259). We appreciate your support and look forward to working with you.

Design of the Graduate PSM Program


Please refer to the following pages for more information:

The professional training page provides information on overall PSM program design.

The biotechnology curriculum page provides information specific to the Applied Biotechnology program.

The internship pages give more information on student internships.